Method and apparatus for forming holes in ceramic ware



Jan. 7, 1958 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING HOLES IN CERAMIC WARE Filed June 17, 1954 R. E. STEELE ETAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 fyi.

INVENTORS E A 13m/Mig n ATTORNEYS Jan 7, 1958 R. E. STEELE ETAL 2,818,628

METHOD AND APPARATUS FoR EQRMING HoLEs 1N CERAMIC WARE Filed June 17, 11.954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTRS @MAM ATTORN EY 5 Jan. 7, 1958 A R. E. STEELE ETAL 2,818,628

METHOD AND APPARATUS FoR FORMING HOLES 1N CERAMIC WARE Filed June 17, 1954 I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 mmf,

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ATTORNEYS niteci States lattentI 0 METHOD APPARATUS FOR FORMING HOLES 1N CERAMIC WARE Richard E. Steele, Worthington, and Andrew R; Blackburn, Westerville, Ohio Application June 17, 1954, Serial No. 437,519

16 Claims. (Cl. 25-129) This invention relates to .apparatus and methods for forming -plastic material into shaped ware having a hole.

or holes in the design thereof. More particularly,'the invention embraces apparatus and methods for forming holesin green ceramic ware.

The functional design of many ceramic shapes includes holes. Typical of such ceramic shapes are the various porcelain electrical fittings and mountings, cup handles, industrial porcelains, special artware and dinnerware, baby plates, and the like.

It is conventional in the art to provide holes in shaped ceramic ware in an operation separate from the wareforming procedure. Cup handles, for example, are normally fashioned independently and atlixed as a separate appendage to the green cup body. In some instances,

holes are drilled in shaped ware after firing. Attempts toy form holes directly in unsupported shaped green ceramic ware are generally unsatisfactory in consequence of the distortion of the ware which inherently occurs in the hole forming process.

pressing on steel dies.

provided with means for applying fluid pressure through` thecontoured surfaces thereof. Shaped ware is formed in suchmold by'opening the die members, placing a moist,

plastic charge on one of the die members, closing the die members to form the ware in the ware-shaping cavity of the mold and squeeze water from the plastic charge into.

the permeable contoured surfaces of the die members. The shaped ware is thereafter separated from the die members by applying a fluid under pressure, such as compressed air, through the conduit and contoured surface of one of the die members to release the formed ware therefrom, thereafter opening the mold With the formed Ware adherent to the other of the die Vmembers and applying fluid pressure through the conduit and contoured surface of the other die member to release the piece. Our aforementioned prior patents, however, do not specifically describe a method or apparatus for forming holes in shaped ware simultaneously with the production thereof.

lt is accordingly a primary object of this invention to Holes can be formed in a few types of ceramic wa-re by dry pressing or semi-plastic' These dry and semi-plastic pressing processes are unsuitable for the production ofthe provide .an improved method and apparatus for forming f5 ICS vide improvements whereby the methods and apparatus l of our prior patents, including Patents Nos. 2,584,109 and 2,584,110, may be employed in the production of green ware, including cups with conventional handles attached, having holes in the design thereof.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for forming holes in green ceramic ware while the ware remains supported in the forming mold.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for forming undistorted holes in shapedgreen ceramic wa-re.

yIt is a specific object of the invention to provide a mold having punch meansrwhich may be employed to form green plastic Ware having holes therei-n.

It is still anothervobject of the invention to provide a means for .automatically 'and simultaneously shaping and forming undistorted holes in plastic material, such as plastic clay.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a mold for simultaneously shaping and forming a hole in plastic ceramic material, such as plastic clay.

llt is a particular and specific object of the invention to provide amethod and apparatus for producing green cups p with conventional handles attached in a unified wareforming operation.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide an improved mold which may be automatically operated for forming plastic material, including ceramic material, such las moist, plastic clay, into shaped ware, said mold being provided with means for automatically forming a hole in the shaped ware as an adjunct to the shaping step and before the shaped ware is removed from the mold, the

" ware being supported inthe mold while the hole is formed.

It is another-object of the invention to provide a method I 'and automatic apparatus for producing shaped ware hav- Patented Jan. 7, 1958 v The invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1' is a vertical embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical section, partially schematic, of

other form of automatically operated mold for shaping and forming holes in plastic material.

section of a mold embracing 'one The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 embraces a mold provided with two opposed, permeable, A,

cooperable die members 10 and 11. The die member 10 embodies a mold ring 12, made of iron or other suitable metal, containing a permeable die body 13 which is f preferably fabricated from gypsum cement or plaster, treated in yaccordance with the method of Patent No. 2,632,209 for imparting improved permeability thereto. The die body 13 of the die member 10 is provided with a ware-formingsurface 14 and a uid pressure conduit 15 for attachment to a source of fluid under pressure, such as water or compressed air, not shown. It is pre-y ferred that the pressure conduit 15 be positioned in spaced relationship with respect to the ware-forming surface 14 of the die member 10 to the end that an evenly'dispersed blanket `of lfluid pressure may beforced there-v fromoutward-l-y through the die body 13 and" ther-wareAV forming surface 14.

The die member 10 carries elongated fluid permeableY punchmeans-l and 17, which areconnectedtto thetcon'-I duitfl'fforrthe application of iluidfpress-ure therethrough, Each of the' punch means 16'and `ltalres theforrn `ofan outer metal tube 18 `whicl`1 is providedrwi'th-vaA permeable core 19 whichmay be fabricated' ofgypsunrcement; po'f rous metal, or other suitable` 'uid permeable materiali Alternatively, the tube' 1S maybeA omitted and" punch meansA 16 and 17 formed', entirely of lporousmaterial, such as porous metal. Punch means' formedentirely' of gypsumv cement are fragile, chip and' breakv readily,gand

arek otherwise easily damaged, and hence'.impract'i'ttal. Punchl means in* the formV ol ametalj tube' having nor permeable core andwhich are not p rovidedwith equivalent means, such, as shown in Figure for supplying uid under pressure at the end vof the. punch, are undesi'rf able. Such punch means adhere to the plastic material from which the ware is shaped to an extent such"Y thatl the ware may become excessively distorted in thepunchf ing operation.

The die member 11 includes` a mold ring 20simi1ar.

to the mold ring` 12, and a porous moldbodyf21`, which may be similar in composition to the porous mold. body, 13. The mold body 21 is provided with a ware-,forming` surface 22 which cooperates with the warefforrning` sur,-` face 1.4 of the die;y member to. form a. ware-forming cavity 23when the diermembers are in: closed4 position, as .shown-I in. FigureY 1. The-v diek member. 1-1` isivalsosprovided: .with ya-luidv` pressure; conduitl means 24, ofi the,- same type as-.eonduit means 151, which isembedded;inthe,die,` member.v 10, andtconnected to a source of fluid pressure,` not-shown.

Aaconduit 2.5,-is form'edgiIn-,thedie membery 111,. atA a;

positiorropposite the punch 16 carried'A by. the dier mem-l berfll), for-receiving andcarrying out of, thegmold: plastic.4 material, such as moist clay, whichis removed by; the:

punch in theV waresshaping;Y operation: wheny themold is imuse;

Thea' punchl .16,-r carried; by; the :die member-1110;. extends-f completely. across they ware-forming. cavity 23'iand isrefx-z fective to form a hole extending,completelytfthroughz thef:

shap'edsware,` indicated at 26; whenthermoldiisclosed;

The punch 17 extends only partially throughhthe shaped'.`v

warez-.26.when .the :mold .isf` closedlandtferms a -blindfhole in the shaped ware.

lsacl-r-iofuthe-V die members.'l 10A-and.E 1112" are appropriately providediwith' a plurality oflguttersmz as the ware is shapedwhen' the dief memberswaremoved' to closed positiom Reference isv made'ffto our fprior'Pat ent No. 2,627,641 for a` detailed descriptionoffsuchmullor similarV means, notv shown, formovementoftftlietdier theemoldtbody, 2f1 tof-the contouredvwareformiug surface 225311 releasing;-the-:sheped-:ware litherefrom.

die members-10 ivaand-'l-lf.areethemmovedi-tozcpen p lwhe'reby air and moisture are blown back to the couyfor receiving lashi:

aritmie pressure applied through the@enduit toured surfacey of thedie mem-ber10"andthe shaped ware 26 is released therefrom. Simultaneously, air passes through the punch members 16 and 17 which have absorbed water from the moist, plastic clay in the wareforming operation. In this manner, the absorbed water is at least in part expelled. from the punch members 16 and 117, and., operates,Y in, conunction, withI the;` air pressure, to release/the punch members#from*lv the shaped ware without distortion thereof.

The invention which isdisclosed inlI Steele and B'ryer Patent No. 2,632';227 for effecting differential release of ceramic waneofromfv porous molds W may-1 be appropriately practiced in the operation of the mold of this invention.

The automatic apparatus-shown in`- Figures 2, 3 and 4 embraces a conventional hydraulic press, shown generally at 50, having a movable upper member 51 and a stationary, lower member 5.2 'lheh-ydrauli'c-prress,pegI se isof conventional commercial design,v hence-thed tails* ofy tHe, construction and. operation, of the pressz;.ai-'e-v not shown.

The upper movable press memberfSlV carriesrafpof rous,A preferably'. plaster, male die member.; 536/ enclosed in a. mold ring- 54 andprovidedwith a contoured'ijwarefi forming surface55= (see. Fig. 4)- and a.: fluid? pressuref, conduit-means 56.for,connection to-a source-ofluidpres.y

sure, not shown.

The lower stationary Y press-` member 52 carriesra po! rousppreferablyplaster, female die member 57-fencloseclfin arnold-2y ringgSS,- andfproyfided*withw a contouredv Ware-ey surefconduit means 6'=1 for connection:` toar source :offui'd pressure, notshown; The-compositioniand generalfst'ruc'f` ture ofthe -die members 53H and 1 57 isf analogous tothati ofthe diemembers 13 andl 21:.,ofl-Tig.V 1'.

Thje female die member 57- isy additionallyprovided"- with a horizontal conduit 62 extendingkv completelythere4 f across and terminating) inf suitable holes 63on-opposite'- sides-ofthe mold ring. 58. The-conduit? 621 passes-across a portion 64 of thel ware forming'surface of the female; die-member.V Inrthefembodiment shown inthe d'rawing the conduit 62 passes through that ware-formin'grareat' of 'thezfemale diel adapted to for-mahandle'append'age sleeves 671 and `68iextending[respectively from`- ,the'mol'di' ring 5-82ftoltheopposite sides of the handle appendage" formingarea lof ftliek ware-forming'f surface 60I of the fel male die57f.' Erden-red, thesleeves67l and 68may'be" exten'cledf ashor-t distance beyond" the Amold ring, as shown, forfexample, inl-'fige l'withrespect to thesleeve 25.`

tioned" rod" 78' which sli'dably engages' the horizontal'arm' 79 extendingfrom the' base 80 ofthe base 50; 1`lzievro1d't` 78 is'provided'with a.ho'rizontal contact member,81f fer engaging and closing themicroswitch. 82 when the diel members.53 and 57 are closed, asvshown in the drawing,y Ilines 83 and'84-connectI the microswitch 82.to thetimer-l 85, which in turn is connected'through lines 861-and 87 to the solenoid 88.` The timer 85 'is connected -Vtoasourcef` of "current, not shown, by'flines 89,and90andcontrol' the flow of current from such source necessary, tov actuate solenoidl 88:, Normally, A.timers 85. is `.sejt .-to maintain:

ow o currentto. .actuate .the solenoidgSS fonabout OEL, to about 5 seconds.

The solenoid 88 is operatively connected tothe piston 91 of the valve 92. The piston 91 assumes the position Y shown in the drawing only when the solenoid 88 is actuated as a result of the closing of the microswitch 82. At other times, the piston 91 is urged against the opposite end of the valve 92 by the spring 93.

The valve 92 is provided with passages 94 and 95 and ports 96, 97 and 98. Leading into the valve 92 is a conduit 99 leading to a source of compressed air, not shown. The valve 92 is connected to the air cylinder 76 by conduits 100 and 101.

In operation, the press is actuated to separate the die members 53 and 57 and a batt or mass of plaster material, such as plastic ceramic material, e. g., clay, is dropped or placed on the female die member 57. The press is then 'actuated to close the die members 53 and 57 and shape the ware, which in the embodiment shown in the drawings is a cup.

Throughout this sequence of steps, and until the die members are suiciently closed for the contact 81 to close the microswitch 82, the punch 69 will remain retracted, the piston 78 assuming the position shown in broken line in the drawing under pressure of air flowing through the conduit 92, passage 89 of valve 87, and conduit 95. Hence, during the ware-forming step, the punch is withdrawn from the ware-forming cavity and the handle appendage can be properly shaped.

Upon contact of the member 81, which moves downwardly as the die closes, with microswitch 82, timer 85 operates to permit actuation of solenoid 88 by current owing through lines 89, 90, 86, and 87. The timer 85 is set to maintain such current ow for only a short time, normally about 0.5 to 5 seconds. Solenoid 88 when energized moves the piston 91 of the valve 92 to the position shown in the drawing, whereupon compressed air ows through the conduit 99, ports 97 and 98 of valve 92, and conduit 101, into the cylinder 76, forcing the piston 75 to the position shown in the drawing and thereby causing the punch 69 to pass through the handle 65 of the cup 66. Air evacuated from the cylinder 76 exits through conduit 100 into passage 94 and out through vent 96 of Valve 92. Air under pressure also flows through the hollow piston rod 74 into the tube 69 of punch 70 and through the porous core 72 serving to prevent adherence of the punch end to the punched out scrap material 102.

When timer 85 operates to terminate flow of current to solenoid 88, the solenoid is deactuated andk piston 91 of valve 92, under the urging of spring 93, moves to the end of the valve 92 opposite that which it occupies in the drawing. As a result, compressed air flows through conduit 99, passage 94 of valve 92, conduit 100 and into cylinder 76, forcing piston 75 to the position shown in broken line in the drawing, thereby retracting punch 69. Air from the cylinder 76 exists through conduit 101 and port 98, passage 95, and port 96 of valve 92.

The ware is thereafter separated from the die members on opening the press, in the same manner as described with respect to Figure l. Plastic material 102 removed by the punch 69 exits through the sleeve 68.

The apparatus shown in Figure 5 corresponds in many respects to that of Figure 4. The apparatus of Figure 5, however, is designed to permit use of a hollow metal punch without a porous core, the material removed by the punch exiting through the body of the punch, means being provided for effecting release of the punch from the green ware without distortion thereof. As is true in the other embodiments of the invention, holes are formed in green ceramic or other plaster ware while the ware is supported in the mold in which it is formed.

In Figure 5 there is shown a conventional hydraulic press 200 having a movable upper member 201, a stationary lower member 202, and a base 203.

The upper press member carries a porous, preferably plaster, male die 204 enclosed in a mold ring 205 and provided with a contoured ware-forming surface 206 and 6 fluid pressure conduit means 207 for connection to source of uid pressure, not shown. ,y

The lower press member 202 carries a porous, preferably plaster, female die 208 surrounded by mold ring 209 and provided with a ware-forming surface 210 and fluid pressure conduit means 211 for connect-ion to a source of uid pressure, not shown.

The female die is provided with a conduit 212 extending from an appropriate aperture in the mold ring 209 to the kware-forming surface 210 and lined with a metal sleeve 213. Slidably mounted in sleeve 213 is a punch 214 which takes the form of a hollow metal cylinder.

The outer end ofthe punch 214 is connected through rigid open link 215 to the piston rod 216 of the piston 217 of the small air cylinder 218.

The upper press member 101 is equipped with a horizontally extending arm 219 carrying the vertically disposed rod 220 which slidably engages the arm 221 extending from the press base 203. The rod 220 is pro- `vided with contact member 222 for engaging and closing microswitch 223 when the die members are closed, as shown in the drawing. Lines 224 and 225 connect microswitch 223 with timer 226,v which is provided with lines 227 and 228 for connection to a source of electric power, not shown, and which is connected by lines 229 and 230 to solenoid 231. Upon closing of microswitch 223, timer 226 operates to permit flow of actuating current to solenoid 226 for a short time period.

The solenoid 231 is operatively lconnected to the piston 232 of valve 233. Under pressure of spring 234, the piston is urged to the end Valve 233 opposite that which it is shown as occupying in the drawing when solenoid 231 is not actuated through timer 226 by the closing of the die members. The piston 232 is provided with passages 235 and 236 and ports 237, 238, and 239. Pressure regulatable conduit 240 is provided for introducing compressed air, from a source not shown, into valve 233. Conduits 241 and 242 connect valve 233 with air cylinder The rod 220 is further provided with sleeve 243 which is tapered at 244 which actuates roller-operated spring return two-way valve 245. The valve 245 includes a cylinder 246 provided with ports 247 and 248. A piston 249 with a passage 250 therein is slidably mounted in the cylinder 246. The piston 249 is normally urged by spring 251 to a position to close the valve by blocking the ports. The valve 245 is connected by line 252 to a source of compressed air, not shown. Line 252 is provided with `suitable valve means 253 for controlling the pressure therein. Valve 245 is also connected to conduit 254 which is in turn connected at 255 to the `conduit 256 in the upper male die 205. The conduit 254 is provided with an extensible or slidable joint at 257 to permit raising and lowering of the male die. Alternatively, the conduit 254 may be of flexible material of suicient length to .permit necessary movement of the male die. As shown in the drawing, the valve 245 is open, such that compressed air can pass through the conduit 254. When the die members 204 and 208 are open, the valve 245 is automatically closed by the spring actuating means carried thereby. v

The conduit 256 in the upper die member 204 terminates in a porous insert 258 enclosed in a metal thimble 259 so positioned as to be directly opposite the punch 214 carried by the female die member 208 when the dies are closed. It will be noted that the edges of the metal walls of thimble 258 engage the end of the punch 214, thereby preventing damage to the male die member 204.

In operation, the die members 204 and 208 are opened and a batt or mass of moldable plastic material, such as plastic ceramic Vclay or moldable synthetic resinous material, is dropped or placed on the female die member 208. The press is then actuated to close the die members 204 and 208 and shape the ware.

Downward movement of the upper press member 201 effects simultaneous downwar'd movement of the rod .220'

including the contact member. 222,. and the sleeve 238 carried thereby.A During this downward movement,the` punch 214-remains retracted,and no compressed air flows. through condui-ts 254 and 256. The piston217 remains in the position shown in broken line inthe drawing' underpressure` of air flowing through conduit-s 252' and 240, passage 238of valve 233, and line 241 to the cylinder 218.-

WhenA the die members 204and` 2ll8- are; closed by downward movement of the upperfpress member 201, microswitch223 is closed by `contacts arm 222, timer 226. operates toy permit actuating current to filow through lines 227, 228, 229 and 230: to ysolenoid 231-; `Actuation of solenoid 231` causes the pistonl 232l of valve 233 to assume-the posivtionshown in thedrawingt As a result, piston 217 is-forced into Vthe position shown inN the -draw-V ing by` pressure ofair flowing throughcond=uits.252A and 240,y the ports238-and 239 of valve 233,- and conduit 242. Punch. 214. is urged by movement yof the piston 217 throughthe shapedWare2561-which4 has beenfOrmed by the closing ofV the die members 204f`an'd 208. Air from the cylinder 213, whichmust be displaced to permit the described'.movement` of the piston, exitswthrough conduit 241 and passage` 236,. and vent 23,7 ofvalve 233.-

Simultaneously. with the actuationof theA punch 214; the sleeve 243 opens the valvef245asvshown in the drawing permittingz compressed air todi'ow. through conduits 254.and 256 andvlthence into porous insert 258. This compressed airprecludes undue adherence of the` punched' outk plastic material 260 to the maledie andprevents distortion:of the` shaped .ware as the .punch is retracted.. The materialremovedby the punch exits -backwardly therethrough andpasses outl of thek punch atthe open connectingdinl 215. n

When the timer 226.terminates-the now of actuating current thereto, normally. after a period `of about- 0.15. to about l() seconds, solenoidA 231l is deactuated, #the piston 232` of= valve 233 assumes .a-positionatfthe yend-.of the valve 233=opposite `that shown inthedrawing. Compressed air flwsthrough conduits 252 and 240,y port 238 andl passage 236-l ofyalve 233, and conduit.241, intoy cylinder 218, forcing piston 217 to the position shown in; broken line in: the .drawin-gpand.withdrawing punch 1214 from the ware. Air exits from thecylinder 2'18" through conduit 242 andv port 239 passagef2'35fand'port 237 of valve 233';

The members .204 .and 208 ,are opened latten-the punch 214' is retracted. Upward movement ofthe: sleeve. 243 beyond valveV 24S-"terminates the flowof compressedair in conduits 254` and 2561by closing thevalve 245e TheA shaped. ware is separated, from the die. members in the same manner as describedfwithrespect to-Figure1.

Specifically, in the. preferred procedure, compressed .airf is introducedlinto,theaconduit 2-11 ofthe lower female die member 208 Vand outwardly.. through. .the contoured surface 210 thereofto release the 4waretherefrom-f Thereafter theY die members` 204 and'2f08`are openedlwithethe. shaped ware adherentl to the upper male.- die, .member cold or. whichmay. bey thermoplasticl and heat-softened:

prior-to. themolding. operation.

Typical thermoplastic resinouss'inaterials which. vcan-"be molded in a heat softened stateincludepolyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, the vinyl resinscgenerically; and; the like.; The specific moldable compositions; are well lcnownto the art;

We claim:

l.V A mold for: forming plastic material into shaped ware comprising coopera'ble, permeable die members movable vfrom an open-position to a closed' position, said die. membersvhaving opposed-contoured surfaces defining a-ware-.shaping-cavitywhen the mold is closed, means f or. applying fluidpressurev through the.l contoured sur.- faces of at least one of said die members, elongated uid permeable punch meansacarned by onefof. saidv die membersfor displacing plasticv material toform a hole in ware shapedv in said cavity. while said ware; is supported-in-said` mold',4 and' means lfor forcing a fluid under pressure'from the interior of4 said punchmeans outwardly therethroughfto facilitate'. removal ofsaid punch from the shaped ware without distorting the hole;

2. A mold-as recited in claim-1 wherein the punch meansv comprises a tube having a' permea-bl'ewcorel andtis movable across a-portion of the wareformingcavity- 3. A mold as :recited in-claim 2 wherein-fthe' punchj is connectedtofthe fluid pressure applying means of-thel die by which itis carried;

4. A moldas recited. in claim l wherein theelongatedpunch means: entends. only partially through` the wareshaping cavity formed when' the. die members are closedl to form a blind. holein the: ware as thewareis shaped.

5. A moldffor4` forming shaped articles from plastic material c'omprfisln'ga pair ofcooperablehuid permeable di'e membersv having' opposed, contoured, surft-pces'- `defining an article-shaping cavity when the mold is closed, meansl for applyingt fluid pressure` through the contoured surfacesv of the dieme'ibe'rs, fluid permeable pnnchmeans carried by' afi'r'stof.` saiddie members formovernent. across at leastI a A portion of saidarticle'fshaping' ,cavity when the mold; is closed, meansfor forcing'a tluid'undeir. pressure from theinterior of saidpunch'mea'n's outwardly therethrough, means for opening and closi'rl'g-v said die members, and nie'arisfbr automatically moving. saidpunch meansI across at leastv a' portion of said' article forming cavity and thereafter. reti-acting s`aid`punch1the'refromf 6. An automatic moldfo'r forming plasticmaterialinto,y shaped ware having holes inthedesign thereof which comprises a pair of cooperable'," ,peimable members,A said die members having'4 opposed,` contoured surfaces defining a ware-shaping cavity'when the'mold is closed; means for applyingluidunder lpressure"through the con-vr toured surfaces of said diefmernbers, automatic means'- for opening and 'closing saiddie'mem'bers, punch'nieans carried by va" first of said"dier`m'ember"s,` means synchronized with said automatic means for moving'fsaid punch' means across a portionof saidware-'shapingcavity when' the mold is closed'i and meansfor supplying fluid pressure at the'end of 4said punch means uponlcompl'etion of the movement of said Y punch rie'ansl across said "cavity/1 7.` A'nautomatic mold; as vdefined in claim', wherein" the second ofA said diemembers is providedfwitlia con-y duit'for'receiving' plastic material displaced by'said punch' and wherein said punch is 'id permeable.' l

8.' Ama'utomatic" mold for forming plastic `ce'rarriic'mai tcrial into" cups HavingV handles 'of' conventional .design= comprising cooperable, permeable die nfremb'ersihaving"4 opposed,`V contouredvi surfaces `deiining the' shape: of "a cup1 havinga- *solidhandle appendage when the-l mold is" closed', means for'openingand closing said v'moldi porons'pnch means `carrie'cliby a? lifrst' of'said Vimam-bers fory movement through saidhandle appendage" whenI the die m'ehib'ers are closed, means for* applying fluidi pressure' throught said punch mcansfto 'facilitate withdrawal'of said'punch' means from'saidappe'ndage' withoutdistortion thereoff andco'nduit means carried by one'of'said die members for receiving the plastic material rem'oved'fr'om sai'd'apfpendage by said punch).

9L A method for. forming cups with conventionalV handles attached which comprises placing a mass of plastic ceramic material on a first of a pair of cooperable, permeable die members having opposed, contoured wareforming surfaces defining a ware-forming cavity 1n the shape of a cup having a handle appendage attached when the die members are closed, closing said die members to form said mass into the shape of a cup having a handle appendage, moving a porous, fluid permeable punch through said appendage while said cup and appendage remain supported in said mold, forcing fluid under pressure from the interior of said punch outwardly therethrough to facilitate removal of said punch without distorting the hole formed in the ware by said punch, withdrawing said punch from said appendage while maintaining at least atmospheric pressure in the hole at the end of said punch, and separating said cup, with handle attached, from said die members.

10. A mold for forming shaped articles from plastic material comprising a pair of cooperable uid permeable die members having opposed contoured surfaces defining an article shaping cavity when the mold is closed, means for applying uid pressure through the contoured surfaces of the die members, punch means comprising a hollow tube carried by a first of said die members for movement across at least a portion of said article shaping cavity when the mold is closed, said punch means being of sufcient length to extend completely across the ware shaping cavity when the mold is closed to punch a hole completely through ware shaped in said cavity, means for opening and closing said die members, means for automatically moving said punch means across at least a portion of said article forming cavity and thereafter retracting said punch means therefrom, said second die member including means providing a porous fluid permeable surface facing the end of said punch means, a uid pressure conduit in said second die member to supply concentrated uid pressure outwardly through said uid permeable surface when the dies are closed to prevent distortion of the hole by the removal of said punch means from the shaped ware.

11. A mold for forming plastic material into shaped ware comprising cooperable, permeable die members movable from an open position to a closed position, said die members having opposed contoured surfaces dening a ware-shaping cavity when the mold is closed, means for applying uid pressure through the contoured surfaces of at least one of said die members, elongated punch means carried by one of said die members for displacing plastic material to form a hole in ware shaped in said cavity while said Ware is supported in said mold, means providing a porous uid permeable surface adjacent the end of the punch means when said punch means is at the end of the path of punching movement and means for introducing uid under pressure through said surface to facilitate removal of said punch means from the shaped ware without distorting the hole.

12. A mold for forming plastic material into shaped ware comprising a pair of cooperable, uid permeable die members movable from an open position to a closed position, said die members having opposed contoured surfaces defining a ware shaping cavity when the mold is closed, means for applying fluid pressure through at least one of said contoured surfaces, elongated punch means carried by one of said die members, said punch means being of suicient length to extend completely across the ware shaping cavity when the mold is closed to punch a hole completely through ware shaped in said cavity, conduit means connecting the exterior of said mold with the end of said punch means when said punch means extends completely across said cavity for receiving plastic material removed from the ware by the punch means, and means providing a porous fluid permeable surface facing said conduit means for forcing plastic material removed by said punch means into said conduit, and means for introducing uid under pressure through said porous surface to prevent distortion of the hole by the removal of said punch means from the shaped ware.

13. A mold as recited in claim 12 wherein said conduit means is positioned in the other of said die members and said porous surface providing means is a part of said punch means.

14. A mold as recited in claim 12 wherein said conduit means is a part of said punch means and said porous surface providing means is positioned in the other of said die members.

15. A mold as recited in claim 14 wherein said porous surface providing means is a porous insert positioned in a uid impervious retaining means.

16. A method for forming, from plastic material, shaped articles having holes in the design thereof which comprises placing a mass of plastic material on a rst of a pair of cooperable, fluid permeable die members, bringing said die members into registry to shape the article, passing a punch into the article While the article is supported by at least one of the die members, forcing uid under pressure through a fluid permeable surface adjacent the end of said punch to facilitate removal of said punch Without distorting the hole, withdrawing said punch from the article while maintaining at least atmospheric pressure in the hole at the end of said punch, and removing the shaped article from the die members.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,740,757 Westerield Dec. 24, 1929 2,169,891 Beal et al Aug. 15, 1939 2,177,461 Ruthven Oct. 24, 1939 2,360,337 Gookin Oct. 17, 1944 2,627,641 Steele et al. Feb. 10, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 198,275 Germany May 11, 1908 569,118 Germany Jan. 28, 1933 

